Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-05-11

| ever could love?
And thus we heard OF Kenneth's
engagement TO the beautiful Mrs.
Vernay.
All the men in the place envied him,
but never in my life have I seen SO
grave and gloomy q lover. Yet, like
all the other men who met her, he
seemed to adore her. [ never heard
any one question his devotion. Per-
haps their eyes were blinded. know
we all pitied Frank. And the time
passed merrily by to the wedding day,
Mrs. Vernay growing daily more beau
tiful.
Once she passed me as walked with
a friend on the esplanade.
"Good heavens" he exclaimed,
what g. likeness !"
"To whom ?" [ asked.
"To q peasant girl in the Black
Forest who few years ago created q
great stir in her village. All the young
fellows were in love with her; she mar.
ried one of them, and few days later
he was found dead in his bed, the
bride having vanished no one knew
whittier"
can unpleasant story" said, little
pleased to notice Kenneth near me,
who must have heard every word.
"Of course, it is only chance like
ness" said my friend.
"Lilith!" murmured Kenneth, as
he passed me.
A week or two later and there was q
fashionable wedding in Torremouth,
dismal as are all such festivities. Ken.
meth had begged his might be quiet,
but Mrs. Vernay laughed in his face.
"You ridiculous boyH she said;
"people will think you are ashamed
of me-"
The only member of the family not
present was Frank. He had rejoined
his regiment.
1t was over-breakfast, speeches and
all-and I was refreshing myself by q
walk near the sea.
a total stranger came up and adj
dressed me, inquiring about that
mornings wedding. He appeared to
have been q spectator at the church.
Among other things, he asked me the
| brides name.
"She was g. Mrs. Vernay," / replied.
"Ah," he said, 81 thought knew her
again."
"May l ask you where you met
herr"
"In Ceylon." She came out as a
bride-after three weeks He
paused, but begged him to GO on.
''It is an unpleasant story" he's said,
"Her husband was found strangled in
his bed. They said one OF the Syces
had done it, but some thought Mrs.
Vernay could have explained the mat
! ter"
asked no further questions-a
voice seemed to whisper in my ear,
s'Lilith !" and the stranger went on
his way.
But l forgot nay forebodings as the
days passed; bringing nothing but
good news Of Kenneth and his wife, as
they travelled In the lake district.
they must be enjoying, and specialized
as to their future home, as yet I'M
| determined.
One night after my wife had gone to
bed [ was lingering over the fire. Care
lessly raised my eyes toward g.
mirror hung above the mantlepiece,
and then my attention was riveted
by the reflection that met my eyes.
1t was no repetition of the room [
was II, but q faithful picture Of
Kenneth's retreat at the chapel.
saw the door open and a flood of
pale moonlight stream into the room
[ saw Kenneth and his wife enter as
from long journey, and noticed her
passing round the room looking at his
treasures while he lit g lamp. Shehad
something in her hand cleaning
against her dress, and [ noticed how
she stole behind him as he bent over
the light. Then cloud of vapor arose
from the lamp, and he turned to face
her, stern and unyielding. She threw
herself kneeling, praying at his feet,
but be never finched; then she rose,
changing into g. tall, thin, pale figure,
with a death-like face and hollow,
cleaning eyes. Still he never faltered,
and with q cry this being rushed
through the half-open door into the
moonlight. The vision haunted me,
though in every way possible tried
reasonably to account for it.
The next morning left Torremouth
by the earliest train, stopped at the
station nearest Kenneth's retreat.
and with some little difficulty found
my way to the chapel. All was lone
| ly and deserted yet [ seemed to note
hanging round the room faint traces
of that smoke-like vapor.
I returned to Torremouth telling
myself that it was but fancy, and that
Kenneth, with his wife, was in West
| moreland.
At home, to my surprise, [ found
| Frank waiting to see me.
81 have seen Kenneth. "were his first
words.
"When?" I cried.
"He came to me last night; I have
seen her, too" lowering his voice.,
sin her true form / know now all
| that he did for me. See-he gave me
this"
1t was moose made of a thick coil
| Of woman's golden hair.
From that time to this have never
again seen Kenneth Lambert, nor has
| any one else.
| Now, perhaps, you may call me a.
silly old fool for thinking anything
supernatural lay behind these circum-
stances. You may call Kenneth mad,
as many do, and find excellent reasons